Category: Maria Clara Speaks

{Maria Clara Speaks} I Am My Hair

November 30th, 2019

Maria Clara Speaks is a sub-blog for my master’s thesis project, containing personal reflections and recollections pertaining to the research on the Maria Clara archetype. This is also where I will share some embarrassing stories about my life.

[Originally written on August 29, 2017; video recorded November 3, 2019.]

[Video description: No audio included. Snapchat filter applied: sparkles in the air, hair of the young woman is colored purple, heavy eyelashes are applied to her eyes. Young woman is looking into the camera, sweeps hair on one side to frame her face. She winks and smiles at the end.]

For more than 10 years, I had lied to people about who I am. It was a lie that often went unnoticed because it was something that could not easily be identified. It was taken for granted, and no one questioned if I was hiding the truth. But if you have not seen me in person for a while, then you ought to be surprised when I tell you: My hair was a lie; I do not have naturally straight hair.

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{Maria Clara Speaks} In The Faith I Follow

November 24th, 2019

Maria Clara Speaks is a sub-blog for my master’s thesis project, containing personal reflections and recollections pertaining to the research on the Maria Clara archetype. This is also where I will share some embarrassing stories about my life.

Many are ambivalent about the topic of religion and faith. Often it invokes memories of being raised in a strict religious household or passionate opinions tied to politics and world affairs. Those who are deeply attached to their affiliation will defend it, sometimes blindly, if they take things out of context or disregard the true message for the sake of supporting their own agenda.

Whatever you believe (or do not believe), that is your own. And here I will tell you my story. But I want you to believe that this story is not for the purpose of trying to “convert” anyone or impose my beliefs on anyone. (I do not like that being done to me, so I will never do that to anyone.) Because I am telling this story, it may not be like typical stories of faith that are told with such religious fervor.

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{Maria Clara Speaks} My Childhood Idol–“It’s Britney, B*tch”–Reclaimed

November 1st, 2019

Maria Clara Speaks is a sub-blog for my master’s thesis project, containing personal reflections and recollections pertaining to the research on the Maria Clara archetype. This is also where I will share some embarrassing stories about my life.

I was six-years-old when Britney Spears debuted on MTV, with her music video for “…Baby One More Time”. I remember being mesmerized by her dance moves, so in sync with the music, whether it was due to good editing or intense practices on the choreography (or both, most likely). My older brother thought she was pretty, from her face to the mid-drift-focused outfits she wore. My parents thought she shouldn’t be exposing her belly button on TV. But as for me, something had awakened but was too shy to come out–I wanted to be a pop star like Britney Spears. (more…)

Category: Maria Clara Speaks

{Maria Clara Speaks} I Am My Hair

[Video description: No audio included. Snapchat filter applied: sparkles in the air, hair of the young woman is colored purple, heavy eyelashes are applied to her eyes. Young woman is looking into the camera, sweeps hair on one side to frame her face. She winks and smiles at the end.]

{Maria Clara Speaks} In The Faith I Follow

{Maria Clara Speaks} My Childhood Idol–“It’s Britney, B*tch”–Reclaimed